Bathrooms are tricky. They need to be functional, durable, and ideally, a place where you actually want to spend time in the morning before coffee kicks in. IKEA gets this, and people have figured out how to take their affordable cabinets, storage solutions, and accessories and turn them into bathrooms that feel custom and high-end.
These ideas prove you don’t need a full gut renovation or designer price tags to create a bathroom that works hard and looks good doing it. Sometimes all it takes is smart planning, a few upgrades in the right places, and maybe a hack or two.
Mid-Renovation Vanity Install
u/markusReddited captured this bathroom mid-renovation, and even unfinished it shows the bones of a great IKEA hack. That gray-blue vanity with white countertop and vessel sink looks clean and modern, with plenty of drawer storage underneath.
The gray-painted walls (still being finished in this shot) will provide a soft backdrop, and you can already see how the terrazzo-style floor adds pattern and visual interest. Chrome fixtures keep things simple and budget-friendly.
Sometimes seeing the in-progress version is the most helpful—it shows that these transformations are totally achievable for real people doing real renovations.
Pegboard Organization Wall
u/cheet0thecat solved the “where do I put all my stuff” problem with a wooden pegboard mounted right on the bathroom wall. Clear acrylic holders and black magnetic containers attach to the board, keeping everything from cotton swabs to makeup brushes visible and accessible.
The simple cream tile background keeps things neutral, and the whole system is endlessly reconfigurable as needs change. This is peak practical design—not fancy, but incredibly functional.
Sometimes the best bathroom upgrade isn’t about aesthetics at all, it’s about making your daily routine actually work.
Modern Floating Vanity with Round Mirrors
u/S4BB created this sleek double vanity situation with a floating gray cabinet, white quartz countertop, and two round white vessel sinks. The black matte faucets add contrast, while those large round black-framed mirrors create symmetry and visual impact.
Soft blue-gray walls feel calming without being too cool, and that black-and-white hexagon floor tile brings in pattern at foot level. Gray hand towels on black towel bars complete the cohesive look.
A small snake plant on the counter brings life without taking up too much space. This is modern bathroom design done right—clean, functional, and put-together without feeling sterile.
Matte-Black Lacquer Vanity & Marble Splash (IKEA Hack)
This wall-mounted matte-black lacquer vanity built from flat-pack cabinets gets a serious upgrade with a bookmatched honed Carrara marble top and integrated under-mounted basins. Slim brass mixer taps and a thin brass mirror frame add that luxe touch without overwhelming the clean lines.
Hidden strip LED lighting under the vanity toe-kick creates this floating effect and provides soft ambient light, while the pale hexagon marble floor adds pattern without competing for attention. Folded ivory hand towels and a single ceramic soap dish keep the styling minimal.
The head-on composition really emphasizes that contrast between the matte black and soft marble. This is proof that IKEA cabinets can handle high-end finishes when you’re willing to invest in the countertop and hardware.
Walnut-Faced Floating Vanity with Leather Handles
This shallow floating walnut vanity front uses refaced IKEA drawer fronts with leather-pull handles for a custom look. The matte stone countertop paired with round inset porcelain basins keeps things refined and tactile.
A round brass mirror hangs above, while integrated warm shelf lighting in a niche displays glass apothecary jars without cluttering the counter. Warm oak plank flooring and soft wall sconces create layers of warm light that make the whole space feel cozy.
The three-quarter view shows off that wood grain and how the storage works. This is the kind of bathroom where every detail feels considered, even though the bones are straight from the flat-pack aisle.
Textured Plaster Walls & Brass Freestanding Tub Alcove
A small alcove with hand-troweled warm-cream plaster walls creates this soothing backdrop for a freestanding oval white tub. The matte-brass tub filler sits beside the tub, and a teak slatted bench plus low teak stool provide practical spots for towels or a book.
A narrow brass wall hook holds a folded linen robe, and the dimmable pendant with frosted globe casts soft, adjustable light. The pebble-style limestone floor adds texture underfoot without being too slippery when wet.
That slightly lowered angle captures the plaster texture and how intimate the whole tub area feels. This is spa-level relaxation built into what’s probably a pretty standard bathroom footprint.
Reeded Glass Shower Partition & Marble Bench
The walk-in shower with floor-to-ceiling reeded glass partition (black-framed for contrast) creates privacy without making the space feel closed off. Large-format warm-gray marble tiles cover the walls, and a built-in bench with honed marble top provides seating plus a practical ledge.
A recessed niche with leather-trimmed toiletry trays keeps products organized and within reach, while the slim linear brass drain adds a sleek detail. Soft overhead daylight from a clerestory window makes everything feel bright and airy.
The wide-angle shot shows the clarity of the reeded glass and how sculptural that partition looks. This is high-end shower design that could easily incorporate IKEA storage solutions in the rest of the bathroom.
Terrazzo Vanity Top & Integrated Herb Planter
This terrazzo countertop with inlaid quartz flecks over a compact vanity brings color and pattern in the most durable way possible. Inset oval basins keep the profile low, and here’s the genius move—a built-in narrow planter strip at the window edge planted with rosemary and small ivy.
Matte-gray cabinetry with flush pulls (refaced IKEA fronts) keeps things modern, while warm strip under-shelf lighting mixed with cool daylight creates dimensional light throughout the day. Textured stone tile flooring adds grip and visual interest.
The three-quarter composition emphasizes that material warmth and how the small indoor planting brings life into the space without taking up counter real estate.
Monochrome Powder Room with Faceted Black Mirror
Crisp white walls get drama from a single deep-charcoal painted accent wall behind a narrow marble ledge basin. The faceted black-rim mirror creates architectural interest, paired with a thin brass faucet that adds just enough warmth.
Black-and-white checkered mini floor tiles go full graphic, and a low warm sconce plus small ceramic bud vase complete the look. The tight head-on crop creates this striking monochrome effect that feels way more expensive than it is.
This is the kind of powder room that makes guests do a double-take—bold choices in a small space always make an impact.
Heated Oak Slatted Wall & Linear Fireplace Niche
Here’s where things get really interesting—a feature oak slatted wall with narrow vertical channels conceals a heated towel rail behind the slats, so form meets serious function. An inset linear gas-plug fireplace niche at bench height (with safety glass) adds both warmth and ambiance.
A low-profile freestanding basin keeps the floor area open, while textured neutral floor tile adds grip. Warm cove lighting above the slats creates subtle depth and makes the wood glow.
The slightly lowered wide shot shows that dramatic wood warmth and how usable these heat features actually are. This is next-level bathroom design that still leaves room for IKEA storage elsewhere.
Textured Black Marble Wet Room & Brass Accents
This moody wet room goes all-in with honed black marble walls and floor in large format. A slim brass rain head and matching hand shower create the focal point, while a low-profile linear brass drain keeps water flowing smoothly.
A narrow recessed shelf with leather-edged trays provides storage without breaking up the marble expanse, and an amber-tinted glass tumbler adds a warm accent. Soft indirect lighting grazes the marble veining for low-key luxury.
The wide-angle shot shows how enveloping that material drama feels. This is proof that going dark in a bathroom can actually make it feel bigger and more luxurious, not smaller.
Freestanding Tub with Timber Tray & Planted Corner
A centered freestanding matte-white tub gets practical with an oak bathtub tray holding a ceramic teacup and trimmed sprig. The corner gets planted with a tall narrow-leaf plant in a glazed pot, bringing life and air-purifying benefits.
Pale stone floor and soft plaster walls create a neutral backdrop, while discreet warm uplighting behind the plant and subtle skylight daylight layer different light sources throughout the day.
The slightly lowered composition conveys that calm spa intimacy—this is the kind of tub you’d actually use regularly, not just admire.
Luxury Utility Wall
This laundry-optimized bathroom stacks a slim washer and dryer behind flush cabinet doors, with an adjacent pull-down drying rod concealed in the upper cabinet. A quartz countertop with inset sink provides practical workspace, while a pegboard-style wood panel holds hot-iron and brushes.
Woven laundry baskets and warm under-cabinet lighting make everything feel finished and intentional. Matte porcelain floor tile can handle the moisture and traffic.
The head-on wide crop shows that practical, elegant multi-use layout. This is genius for small homes where the bathroom needs to pull double duty.
Spa Bench & Soft-Glow Niches with Natural Fiber Accents
A long stone bench with plush neutral cushions and folded thick towels creates a lounging spot that’s actually useful. Wall niches with soft warm glow hold stacked terry and small ceramic diffusers, while a woven seagrass basket handles laundry.
Warm plaster walls and pale oak flooring feel serene and natural, with recessed ceiling cove lighting providing diffused ambient light. The three-quarter shot reads serene, warm, and tactile—spa vibes without any beachy clichés.
This is the kind of bathroom where you’d want to spend time getting ready in the morning or winding down at night.
The magic of IKEA bathrooms isn’t about hiding the fact that you shopped at IKEA. It’s about taking their solid, affordable cabinetry and storage solutions and surrounding them with finishes, fixtures, and details that make the whole space feel intentional and special.
Start with good bones (cabinets, storage, layout), then layer in the elements that matter most to you—whether that’s luxe marble, warm wood, bold color, or just really good organization. Your bathroom (and your morning routine) will thank you.